DIFFERENT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'different' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of different are disparate , divergent , diverse , and various . While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness. // different foods

Q: When could 'disparate' be used to replace 'different'?

The words disparate and different are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility. // disparate notions of freedom

Q: When can 'divergent' be used instead of 'different'?

Although the words divergent and different have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation. // went on to pursue divergent careers

Q: In what contexts can 'diverse' take the place of 'different'?

In some situations, the words diverse and different are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast. // such diverse interests as dancing and football

Q: Where would 'various' be a reasonable alternative to 'different'?

While in some cases nearly identical to different , various stresses the number of sorts or kinds. // tried various methods

different

adjective

ˈdi-f(ə-)rənt

Definition of different next

as in diverse

being not of the same kind how are plantains different from bananas?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in separate

not the same or shared my brother and I sleep in different rooms when we travel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word different different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of different are disparate, divergent, diverse, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When could disparate be used to replace different?

The words disparate and different are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When can divergent be used instead of different?

Although the words divergent and different have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

In what contexts can diverse take the place of different?

In some situations, the words diverse and different are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

Where would various be a reasonable alternative to different?

While in some cases nearly identical to different, various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of different Fixing a Problem The study, published in the journal Communications Engineering, was designed to solve a problem: The yolk and egg white in chicken eggs cook at different temperatures. —

Korin Miller, Health, 8 Feb. 2025 Cunard solar eclipse cruises Quick look Cunard solar eclipse cruises Duration: 7 to 14 nights depending on the voyage On Aug. 12, 2026, Cunard invites eclipse chasers to experience the awe-inspiring total solar eclipse, with three different ships positioning themselves for prime viewing. —

Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2025 Adding to his blissful ignorance, Schachner says the crew shoots two different endings and 10 MVP award presentations. —

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025 Since Wagner, who was John Calipari's starting point guard at Kentucky last season, started quarterbacking the team, there seems to be a different chemistry. —

Wally Hall, arkansasonline.com, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for different

Recent Examples of Synonyms for different

Adjective

For the Gladney family, the Chaska community has always been a close-knot, quiet, safe and diverse community, with grocery stores, libraries and a hospital all near by.

— Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Many in Ballinger’s hospital — which serves a high immigrant population in one of the most diverse regions in the U.S. — have worried about threats of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025